Y.M.C.A. ACTIVITIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 70, 20 September 1939, Page 11

V.M.C.A. ACTIVITIES

SUBSTANTIAL FUNDS

NEEDED

Very complete arrangements have been made by the National Council of the-Y.M.C.A. to meet any demands that may arise from the establishment of military, camps in New Zealand. Experience gained during the CJreat War will.be turned to good account. Various committees have been appointed i and are already functioning. . . The V.M.C.A. is able.to rally to the call throughout the Dominion because of the fact that the local associations immediately came to the aid of the national council and undertook to look after the men in'their areas until such time as these camps can be placed under the control of the council and the War Service Committee, and funds are available to adequately cater for all the needs of the troops. At the present time three associations have loaned members of their staffs to carry on this very urgent work. ACTIVITIES TO DATE. ■ A report on activities to date states that. two of . the main camps are already being provided with V.M.C.A. facilities and two others now being organised will be equipped when they are opened to receive the men of the new forces. Twelve outpost camps are being supplied with reading and writing matter, small games, etc. In some instances radios and pianos have been supplied. Activity at a camp near Wellington has- increased during the past few.weeks. The V.M.C.A. building is extensive and has'a large bil-liard-room with three full-sized tables. This service is free to the men. A large ''writing-room amply supplied with writing tables is "provided. The lounge is very large and is equipped 'with easy' chairs and settees, piano, small tables for games, a large fireplace, and an ample supply of reading matter. The canteen meets all the needs of the men as far as possible. Boots are received and sent away for repairs, washing is collected and sent to the laundry. Needle and thread are always available for use and buttons and. chevrons are sewn on. A telephone is installed and messages are taken and delivered. Money and valuables are taken care of and arrangements made to have deposits placed in the Post Office Savings Bank. At a camp at one of the forts near Wellington two marquees have been fully equipped with recreational and other facilities. £10,000 REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY. It is estimated that to build and thoroughly equip and staff necessary huts in main camps and to make provision for ■ all the outlaying centres requiring assistance, £3000 to £10,000 will be required. This amount will include provision for a mobile plant, further billiard tables, and other necessary games equipment, urns, crockery, pianos, wireless sets, etc., and the pos- " sibility of service overseas must be borne in mind. Large quantities of material will be needed immediately to provide for the expanding number of men in camps, and. wherever the need is the V.M.C.A. plans to be there. It will give some idea of the cost when it is known that during" the past ten days' almost all the supply of writing material has been used. The cost of this was £20. In addition, the V.M.C.A. buildings in the various cities will be available as far as accommodation will allow. Hostels are also being planned in three main centres to cater for men on night and weekend leave.